Local photographers Pam DeCamp, Andrew Dodson, and Bekkie Harper have returned home after celebrating creativity at the Foothills Art Festival, and do so bearing awards and mentions for their submissions into the annual gallery for Appalachian artists.

The Foothills is nestled between the shades of fall each year in Canter’s Caves 4-H Camp. Oranges, reds, and browns cover the land, as guests march through the leaves, exploring the beautiful scenery and taking in the artwork of hundreds.

In fact, over 500 submissions were on display at the festival this year, all in a plethora of mediums, including oil/acrylic, pastel/drawing, traditional photography, enhanced photography, three dimensional work, and watercolor.

The three local artists took advantage of the photography categories and their results prove the area is in abundance of talent.

Harper brought home the First Place Award in Enhanced Photography for her piece “Moonrise at Sunset.”

Her piece “Nightfall” was given an Honorable Mention Award in the same category and “Balance” received an Honorable Mention Award in Regular Photography.

“The Foothills Art Festival is the highlight of my year. The Southern Hills Art Council creates a beautiful venue for artists of most genres to present their work and compete for prizes,” Harper said after her return. “They also have hands-on art activities for kids and families during the exhibition. I am grateful for the community members who donate and support arts in the area and appreciate the hard work of the council members. It really is wonderful!”

DeCamp also placed in the event, bringing home an Honorable Mention Award in Enhanced Photography for her piece “Purple Basil.”

“It seems each year that the quality of entries surpass the previous year. The show is always well attended. I submitted four photography and four enhanced photography images in this year’s show,” DeCamp said. “There were other local photographers who participated and received awards and deserve congratulating as well. As always, I look forward to next year!”

Andrew Dodson also brought home honorable mentions, including and Honorable Mention Award in Enhanced Photography for “Tre’ – Jackson Ironmen Locker Room” and an Honorable Mention Award in Traditional Photography for “Grayson Among the Leaves.”

Dodson has a history of attending the festival, and being involved, but only recently began submitting pieces into the show. Dodson returned to Canter’s Cave filled with nostalgia and even took the opportunity to hold another photo shoot in the park.

“I love the Festival. I’ve been attending since I was in junior high. My dad was the art teacher at Oak Hill, so, as students, we’d go out for one day of the festival to teach art to the little kids who came,” Dodson said. “I only started entering work last year. This makes my second year, so it was great to go from virtually unknown to getting two honorable mentions.”

Dodson also commented on the Southern Hills Art Council and its Executive Director Barb Summers.

“They do such tremendous work to promote a culture of art within and throughout the Jackson County and surrounding areas,” Dodson claimed.

Foothills is organized by Southern Hills Arts Council, which is responsible for many Jackson County artistic endeavors.

For more information on Foothills, or other activities sponsored by Southern Hills Art Council, contact an official at 740-286-6355.